Utah Residents Upset Over Fee Hike

By Tom Knighton

Utah residents were understandably upset to learn that the fee for concealed carry permits would be raised by state officials. However, activists there aren’t remotely interested in taking the fee hike lying down.

Instead, they’re getting ready to fight back against what they argue was an improper fee increase.

The National Rifle Association issued a call for action to Utah gun owners on Wednesday asking them to voice their opposition to an increase in fees for first-time concealed weapons permit holders.

The state Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI), which issues permits, on Aug. 1 increased the fee by $20, raising the cost to $57 for Utah residents and to $67 for out-of-staters.

The NRA and the Utah Shooting Sports Council (USSC), however, say BCI lacks the authority to raise fees on its own and should have sought legislative approval.

“The process by which this fee has been implemented purposefully circumvented legislative action and removed any ability for the public to submit input,” NRA spokeswoman Catherine Mortensen said in a release.

BCI officials have been summoned to Capitol Hill to explain the increase. They are scheduled to do so at 9 a.m. Thursday before the Legislature’s Administrative Rules Review Committee.

To make matters worse, …Read the Rest

Source:: Bearing Arms